Book 2 - Chapter 43

Book 2 - Chapter 43
Chapter 43 – The Queen’s Father



Dressed in a sweeping gown that matched the color of her unique eyes, Solene strode inside the throne room with Hein leading the way. Like her, he wore a formal outfit, looking sharp and dashing in his kingly suit despite the usual color he favored.

No soul was around. No guards or guests to honor their first appearance together as king and queen in this supposedly public room, and that didn’t bother Solene. She only desired to see one person, and that was her father.

Like all the other marbled floors of the castle, the throne floor also had a black shade, and like Hein’s chamber, solid walls on the right and left sides were replaced with rushing water.

Solene tossed him an arched brow after seeing this feature again.

“For convenience in surveillance,” Hein explained. “And ease in travel. All souls in Sattus, once summoned by me, can simply arrive here using the River Enyd.”

“Is it like teleportation, Henri?” Solene asked with curiosity.

Hein offered a hand before they engaged the stairs to the dais. “Yes, it sort of functions like one for the souls,” he answered.

“Good to know,” Solene accepted his proffered hand and together they climbed up the throne. “I would love to be educated more about your kingdom.”

“Our kingdom, Solene,” he corrected. “Don’t forget, you are my queen.” He squeezed her hand. She blushed for a moment and smiled. The Queen of Sattus...that was a title she should get used to hearing now.

“Did my family already know you as the Underworld King?” she changed the subject, suddenly remembering this important detail. Her family knew about the Rantzen Family’s secrets, but she wasn’t sure if they knew about Henri’s unique kingship.

“No, only your father,” Hein simply answered. He gestured to the throne room in front of them, and continued, “Jacob realized my two identities when we met here.”

“I see,” Solene muttered while looking contemplative. By ‘here,’ he meant after her father died.

Hein claimed his seat—a throne that was made with a slab of black marble with flat spikes jutting out at the back all the way to the ceiling. He gestured to a spacious side on his right with his head then.

“Come, sit beside me, my queen. I already told Kelios to fetch your father. He will arrive any second now.”

She wanted to. She wanted to experience sitting on the throne with him, but she paused from moving when the double doors opened. Kelios entered, stopped right at the opening and declared, “Your Majesties, as you requested, Sir Jacob St. Fair.”

He moved to the side just as the one mentioned passed the door with his head held high. He was in his white ensemble still—the kind of clothes Solene would expect him to wear in this place. He was already a soul, after all. A soul with the purest, kindest heart.

“Dad...” Solene mumbled as she first got a glimpse of him. He looked the same as before he died. It was as if time didn’t affect him at all. Tears started to collect in the corner of her eyes, but she blinked it back. She didn’t want to blur her vision during this wondrous occasion. She wanted to savor this moment and register it in her head.

“Dad!” But she could not stand still. Hurriedly, she descended the stairs and met him at the center of the aisle with her arms stretched wide.

“Hello my little cupcake!” Jacob cried out as he happily embraced her.

“I missed you so!” Solene exclaimed. Closing her eyes, she relished the feel of his presence again. This was real. This wasn’t a dream or an illusion anymore. She was actually seeing her father, maybe not in the flesh, but at least existing in the same plane as her. She sobbed like a small child afterwards, but she wasn’t ashamed of it. Enveloped by her father’s arms, she felt like a six-year-old again, under his protective wing.

Back at the dais, Hein watched as the father and daughter reunited. He felt Solene’s happiness, and he relished in it. He relished this scene too inside his throne room which, since time immemorial, was always filled with death and gloominess. Now, it was blessed with love and devotion.

“You’ve grown into such a beautiful woman now, Solene,” Jacob withdrew and gave her a wide smile. “And you kicked ass! I’m so proud of you!”

Solene sniffed and half-chuckled. “Because you helped me, dad. Without the time spell, I wouldn’t be in this spot right now.”

“No, Solene,” Jacob shook his head and sighed. “Without your perseverance, your endless hope and bravery, King Hein wouldn’t have the chance to save you. You helped yourself. You carried on.”

Solene tipped her chin down as her father planted a kiss on her forehead. Thereafter, she embraced him again and stated, “Oh dad, mom would love to meet you like this.”

Jacob patted her back and nodded, “I know, Solene. I know, but uh...Sattus’ rules are firm.” He then stole a look at Hein still sitting in his throne and continued, “I can’t show myself to her. In dreams, yes, I can, but in this form, I—”

“I’ll allow you to, Jacob,” Hein butted in. He stood up and nodded once. “For my wife. As my gift to her, I’ll allow you to meet Meridith.”

Jacob’s mouth dropped. “You’re serious, Your Majesty?”

Hein cocked a brow. “When have I been not serious?”

Jacob felt hesitant for a moment, then he smiled. “Well, thank you, Your Majesty.”

Solene, hearing this, pulled back from their embrace.

“Henri, thank you,” she said while giving him a smile, one that was filled with gratitude and love. Then she faced her father again, feeling excited already. “We should all go together, dad! I know we might give mom a scare with both of us showing up as souls, but she’ll be happy to see us!”

“A soul?” Jacob arched his brows when he heard the word. “No, ah, sweety, you’re not a soul. You’re not dead anymore,” he hastened to explain.

Solene stepped back and fluttered her lashes. “What do you mean, dad?”

Jacob grabbed her hands and held it tight. “Since King Hein brought you back to life, when you return to Earth, you’ll be the same as before you died,” he answered.

Hein stepped down from the dais and interjected, “Let me explain further, Jacob.” He watched as Solene and her father moved their attention to him. “Only souls can enter Sattus, Solene, but you’re an exception,” he started. “You are in your physical body now, a living being, just as you should be. Time in Sattus is stagnant...or shall I simply say it differs from Earth. When you go back there, it will be on the same day as you were killed. Meaning, you’ll be able to celebrate your birthday and become a full-fledged conjurer as you are destined to be.”

Her husband’s explanation definitely caught Solene off-guard, but she tried to understand it as much as she could. “Meaning mom doesn’t know I died?” she stated after a full minute of silence.

“Yes, sweety,” Jacob answered with a pleased smile.

“Oh, this...” Solene lowered her eyes to the floor. “This is good news!”

“It is, sweety. It really is,” he agreed.

“So then we can go there now. We can celebrate my birthday together,” Solene expressed, looking at her father then to Hein, expecting a nod from the two of them.

But Jacob suddenly looked hesitant. “Ah, one moment sweety. I need to talk to King Hein first,” he stated while stepping forward. “Your Majesty—”

“I know,” Hein cut in. “I see everything in this realm remember?”

“The fissure is considerable,” Jacob continued, wearing a grave face. “It is big enough to allow entry of bad souls. Right now, the Oratongi and your grim reapers are monitoring it.”

“Has any demon or monster escaped since its creation?” Hein asked, keeping his temper controlled. He was aware Solene was listening, and he was aware Jacob was handpicking his words, wanting her out of this issue like he did. She didn’t know he was the reason why this dangerous hole appeared in Gehenna. She didn’t know she was the reason why his anger became uncontrolled and hence creating the crack. He didn’t want her to worry or to feel it was partly her fault too.

“None so far, Your Majesty. But we shouldn’t be complacent,” Jacob answered as carefully as he could, trying not to arouse her daughter’s curiosity.

“Continue monitoring it, Jacob,” was Hein’s reply, “and Kelios, add more grim reapers to guard it.”

Kelios, who was still standing near the doorway, nodded.

“Can you seal it off, Your Majesty?” Jacob couldn’t hold back asking. He held a high regard for this man. Hein was the King of Sattus, after all. Surely, he could fix this problem without breaking a sweat?

“No,” was Hein’s scarce answer. He didn’t add more. If he did, Solene would know. He wanted her to think this was just a normal day in Sattus with normal issues to deal with.

“Then we will try our best, Your Majesty,” Jacob lowered his head, understanding the king’s plight.

Hein moved his attention fully to his wife and asked, “Solene, do you want to go to Earth now?”

“Dad?” Solene asked, looking at her father with anticipation.

Jacob nodded. “You go ahead, sweety. I’ll be there in your celebration and see your mother, I promise.”

This was an answer Solene accepted.

Hein approached her and placed an arm around her waist. “Let’s go?” he asked.

She gave a silent affirmative in her head and faced him. “Yes, let’s go.”